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Cardiff

Practical info Cardiff, United Kingdom

Getting around the city

Cardiff has a reliable and extensive bus service that operates between 5.30am and 11.30pm, with limited weekend and public holiday services. Exact change is required. The train services are also dependable, and taxis are easily hailed or ordered by phone. Hiring a car in Cardiff is easy, with most companies requiring a license in English with a photograph, or an International Drivers Permit. A minimum age requirement may apply. The city is relatively easy to negotiate by car, but parking is often a problem, as many spaces downtown are for permit-holders only. However, Cardiff is compact and easily explored on foot. It is also flat, making it well-suited to cycling. The Taff Trail for walking and cycling runs right through the city.

Time

GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Electricity

The electrical current in the UK is 230 volts, 50Hz. Flat three-pin plugs are standard.

Currency

The currency is the British Pound (GBP), which is divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in almost all towns and Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted; visitors with other cards should check with their credit card companies in advance. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, however better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.

Communication

The international country dialling code for the UK is +44. Mobile phone coverage is extensive, using GSM 1800 networks which may not be compatible with some dual-band US cell phones. Internet cafes are available in all major towns and cities, train stations and airports and wifi is widely available.

Climate

Cardiff has a maritime climate, characterised by mild weather. It is cloudy, wet and windy, and like the rest of the United Kingdom highly unpredictable. The average temperatures in summer, June to August, range between 51°F (11°C) and 71°F (22°C). Average temperatures in winter, December to February, range between 35°F (2°C) and 47°F (8°C). Rain is possible at any time of year, but summer is generally the driest season, with October, November, December and January the wettest months. Snow is rare in Cardiff. Springtime (March to May) is a popular time to travel to Cardiff, with mild weather and plenty of flowers to enjoy, though sporadic rain and wind is always possible. Summer, between June and August, is by far the best time to visit Cardiff, as the weather is at its best and many of the city's most popular events and festivals are held over this period.

Rhoose Cardiff International Airport

Getting to the city

The Cardiff Aiport Express bus service runs every 30 minutes during the day, seven days a week. Journey time to Cardiff from the airport is approximately 35 minutes and the bus fare is approximately £5 one way. A rail link also connects Cardiff International Airport to Cardiff Central and Bridgend. Trains run each direction every hour daily (every two hours on Sunday) with onward connections to other destinations on the rail network. A shuttle connects the airport to the nearby train station in 10 minutes, costing about £1.

Car rental

Enterprise, Europcar and Hertz are represented at the airport.

Airport taxi's

Passengers can book a private taxi transfer with FlightLink Wales to and from Cardiff Airport.

Facilities

Facilities include a bureau de change, ATMs, baby changing facilities, faxing and photocopying, game zones, duty-free shops, restaurants, cafés and bars. There are also facilities for disabled passengers.

Parking

Short-term parking is right outside the terminal building and long-term parking is farther away from the terminal but is serviced by a free shuttle. There is pre-booking available.

Internet

Cardiff Airport offers free wifi throughout the terminal for the first half hour per day. Internet kiosks are available in the terminal giving passengers a chance to browse the web before boarding. The kiosks provide fast, reliable internet access.